Control Pain & Heal Faster With Your Brain | Huberman Lab Essentials

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain how to manage pain and accelerate injury recovery by leveraging protocols to modulate pain perception.

I discuss how pain interpretation is a complex experience, shaped by both internal factors like emotions and genetics, as well as external factors, such as context. I explain how practical strategies like acupuncture, breathing techniques, exercise and temperature modulation can influence the body’s pain response and accelerate recovery. I also discuss topics like phantom limb pain, recovering from traumatic brain injury and the crucial role inflammation plays in the healing process.

Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes (approximately 30 minutes) focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials will be released every Thursday, and our full-length episodes will still be released every Monday.

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*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Neuroplasticity
00:01:58 Somatosensory System, Pain
00:05:22 Pain & Injury; Genes
00:07:38 Touch, Sensitivity, Pain, Inflammation
00:09:53 Phantom Limb Pain, Top-Down Modulation
00:14:00 Traumatic Brain Injury, Aging & Glymphatic System; Tools: Side Sleeping, Zone 2 Cardio
00:19:05 Pain Interpretation, Adrenaline, Emotion & Love
00:22:19 Acupuncture; Homunculus, Somatosensory System, Gut & Inflammation
00:29:31 Tool: Wim Hof Method, Tummo Breathing, Pain
00:30:29 Tools: Injury Management, Ice or Heat?
00:34:10 Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Stem Cells
00:35:43 Recap & Key Takeaways

#HubermanLab #Science #Brain

[hubermanlab]

Thank you for watching! If you enjoyed this topic and episode, please click the “Like” button and subscribe to our channel on YouTube. Thank you for your interest in science! — Andrew

[mattgiunt]

At 77 Ive been following the books of Dr John Sarno for over 30 years with great success.Ive used his TMS concepts on back, shoulder, and knee pain with great success. I still lift weights 4 days a week and run/power walk every day. I sleep from 8 PM to 3 AM and then go to gym. I take a 45 minute Power Nap when I return. Im on no medication and feel great. It's all about mind body to get you through life.

[marie_delaFontaine]

Today is my anniversary of surviving a brain injury 9.01.2016. Had to fight to survive, but left me with chronic pain/nerve damage. I prayed earlier for my pain to go away one day. Now I see you post this - as my absolute fave podcast that I learn from daily. Feels like sky daddy heard my prayer 🥰🙏🏼 ps. Am a songwriter, artist, studying BSc psychology and plan to do a masters in neuroscience after! Team science ❤

[HeatherQ]

You do a really good job teaching. Personally I think you are one of the best. Thank you Dr. Andrew Huberman.

[In.Th.Ea.Mo.]

As a person that has experienced ALL of the trauma that he discussed(multiple concussions, numerous injuries to my left side as well as psychological trauma), i always felt like my body had more to offer in the aspect of healing itself, not to mention that my two favorite heros were/are the hulk and wolverine so I was already on that psychological path to self healing. 😂
This video sums up everything that I was experiencing on a level that I can understand. The pressing through the pain and inflammation with light weight work outs to more moderate and exercise is helping me recover from concussions from childhood to adulthood as well as heal injuries like: rotator cuff, broken arm, "arthritis" of the joints, collapsed lung, knee pain and inflammation, broken heel, the list goes on.

I think it's crazy how much being a human being has to offer...yet we miss out on so much.

[mazulhasan]

sir please make a video on 'perfectionism' because it leads to procastination .

[lynnsmith]

So appreciate these shorter content podcasts ❤

[buttercupchickadee]

Thank you for doing what you do. I have a GP and access to specialists, but I've seen the most effective improvements for my TBI by implementing the practical and basic suggestions from you and others. Thank you. Please keep it up.

[stephen_wald]

Hey Andrew,

I’ve been listening to your podcast for a while now, and I think you’d hit a goldmine with an episode on mattress quality, especially focusing on the materials used in cheaper brands. There’s a growing concern about the use of fiberglass fire socks in budget mattresses. These are meant to meet fire safety regulations but can leak if the mattress cover is damaged or removed, leading to potential health issues like skin irritation or respiratory problems.

It would be great to delve into how prevalent this issue is, which brands are using these materials, and what consumers can do to protect themselves. You could also touch on alternatives like natural fire barriers (like wool) that don’t pose these risks, and discuss the durability, comfort, and overall value of these cheaper mattresses compared to their higher-end counterparts.

Additionally, exploring the marketing tactics, consumer reviews, and perhaps even talking to industry experts or those affected by fiberglass exposure could provide a comprehensive look at this often overlooked aspect of bedroom furniture.

I believe this topic would not only educate your listeners but also spark some really interesting discussions about consumer safety, product transparency, and the mattress industry’s practices.

Looking forward to hearing your take on this!

Best regards,

Stephen

[getrektboi]

This came at just the right time, I just sustained a Acl and Mcl tear and I’ll be going into surgery soon. Thank you for covering this

[jacinta]

Perfect timing. 5 weeks in with a broken foot! Thank you!

[richardjaffe]

Great principles but as always, there are exceptions that should be addressed. As a practicing dentist for over 35 years when I know there is going to be an acute inflammatory response from a surgical extraction I know slowing down this reaction is very important for pain control and will recommend taking an anti inflammatory drugs before the procedure and definitely ice after. 😅

[rose]

Fascinating. Acupuncturists always say don't ice because it causes 'cold' in the channel. Glad to see some studies that support that theory.

[kylegusek]

I have a question about chronic inflammation. I had a few years of intense pain, inflammation, loss of mobility, fatigue etc where at first I only applied heat, hoping for the muscles to relax. But after a while I realized it seemed to aggravate it. I reached a point where if I felt a flare up happening, I'd take an anti-inflammatory and cycle cold, then after a few days when it stabilized I'd put the heat on to help with recovery. I seemed to get a much better result doing this.

When you mention using heat instead of cold you use it in the context of an injury. But how about in the case of chronic inflammation?

[JamesBarry-jm]

I hope you're going to cover a broken heart😢😢😢😢😢

[cristinacobaleda]

Beautifully explained, Mr. Hbrmn. I think you are becoming better and better at condensing information in such a small time frame. I love the language in this week episodes, in particular. It feels more "fluid"? (utilising body language also helps!).

I think that more than tools and motivation, this is about giving us empowerment. The type of empowerment that comes from the knowledge that we don't have to be at the mercy of nature for everything (or even for a lot of it). And how to harness that knowledge to our advantage.
This is in reference to all your episodes in general!.

I personality consider the invention of pain killers one of mankind's biggest achievements. Even when controversial at times and abused at others, to simply have the capacity to take someone's pain away, it's so magical in itself.

And yes, I get your frustration: Inflammation is Information.

Thank you all, lovely ones, at the Huberman.Lab. Thank you, Andrew, as always.

[SyedHamzaAli]

Hey huberman! I am an engineering student. After a week from now I have my exams and hence I'm preparing for my exams nowadays but sometimes my mind does too much overthinking, intrusive thoughts so much so that I start to feel anxious. However, I may not keep my focus completely on your videos at that time but I play your videos in such moments and somehow, I don't know what happens but your lecture in background while I'm preparing for my exams slows down my overthinking and anxiety and brings me a little back to the present moment. Thankyou.

Could you help me more, in any way, to do well in my exams. I would be really thankful

[lachanfallNr]

A very interesting connection to explore is that in TCM (traditional chinese medicine) there are 12 main meridians, there are also 12 main brain nerves in our bodies. I studied TCM for 5 years and still am. I would love for you to explore this deeper also with us here on your channel!
This one is very interesting and also has more depth potential to explore. Thank you Andrew! Much love from Switzerland <3

[kylegusek]

There are some cool fake hand pain experiments on here, where the real hand is placed on the other side of a divider with a towel covering the arm, while the fake hand is sticking out of the sleeve in front of the subject. The same tapping action is applied to the real and fake hand simultaneously to calibrate the brain, and then a final blow with a hammer only to the fake hand.

[cosmicsun]

Thanks you 🙏🏻amazing information, I suffer from chronic pain for many years and this open my life to learn and apply all the protocols and advices for me and for help other and make something valuable from my experience, you always inspired me to continue and be better everyday day, blessings for you